Sequester Spat Looms on Horizon

With Budget Impasse Resolved for Now, Lawmakers Likely to Turn to Budget Cuts

By

John D. McKinnon

Oct. 17, 2013 10:45 a.m. ET

Wednesday's budget deal resolves Washington's most urgent problems, but it also turns the spotlight on another looming clash: what to do about the automatic spending cuts scheduled to slam both parties' priorities next year.

Figuring out how to soften those budget cuts—known as the sequester—is likely to become the next big focus for lawmakers hoping to avert another budget showdown in January.